Lionel Messi rejects the invitation to participate in the gala of the 125th anniversary of Barcelona

Next Friday, Barcelona will celebrate its 125th anniversary. The Catalan club was founded on November 29 in 1899, and to mark the occasion, a gala celebration was held, and the expectation is that there will be a plethora of club icons in attendance.

However, it is now confirmed that Barcelona's greatest player will not be attending the gala. Ace for ReliefLionel Messi decided to turn down the chance to attend, despite being available to do so after Inter Miami were eliminated from the MLS play-offs earlier this month.

After Inter Miami's defeat at the hands of Atlanta United, Messi was given the opportunity to attend by the Florida-based franchise. However, he chose not to go, with the report claiming that his troubled relations with the club's board are a contributing factor.

Instead, Messi is expected to record a video message that will be broadcast by Barcelona at the event.